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iOS 6.1.1 for iPhone 4S Aims to Fix Cellular Problems

Mimicking what it did with iOS 6.0.2, which worked only with the iPhone 5 and iPad mini, Apple has now released iOS 6.1.1 to fix “an issue that could impact cellular performance and reliability for iPhone 4S.” As usual, there were no further details that might give users insight into what precisely the update is aimed at fixing, and whether or not there might be additional fixes involved.

However, several European carriers — most notably Vodafone UK — have recommended that iPhone 4S users avoid updating to iOS 6.1 because of connectivity problems; we presume 6.1.1 is aimed at addressing those issues.

My take: if you have an iPhone 4S with iOS 6.1 and you’re experiencing obvious problems with cellular connectivity, the update is worth risking. In Settings, tap General > Software Update to update over the air, or download and install the update via iTunes. But if you’re not having problems, or if you haven’t yet updated to iOS 6.1, just sit tight with whatever you’re running now and see what shakes out.

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The problem (and frustration) I have with my 4S is with "Do Not Disturb," which blocks notification (except as a missed call) of ANY call ANYtime, whether the caller is on my VIP list or not. I can't use the feature because of that. It came up with iOS 6.0 and I had hoped 6.1 would fix it. Wrong.

My experience is that most battery life problems are actually related to connectivity problems where the iPhone is constantly transmitting data erroneously and thus using a ton of power. You can usually tell because the iPhone gets hot too.

So in this case, if the iPhone was constantly retrying communications with cell towers, that might also hurt battery life.

My guess is that iOS 6.1.1 in fact fixed some sort of cellular connectivity problem that caused the iPhone to be in constant communication with the cell towers, thus running the radios nonstop and destroying battery life in the process.